Dog-Friendly Ellsworth, Maine

Stay near Acadia, grab a patio table downtown, and explore parks, trails, and easygoing Downeast adventures with your dog.

Ellsworth, ME

8.4 Pet-Friendly Score
Avg Pet Fee: $10-75
Off-Leash Beach: No
Outdoor Dining Law: Yes

Best dog-friendly stays

Hampton Inn Ellsworth/Bar Harbor

Reliable chain stay with pet-friendly rooms and quick access to Route 3 for Acadia day trips.

Comfort Inn Ellsworth - Bar Harbor

Popular pet-friendly base with grassy relief areas and a walking trail on site.

Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Ellsworth / Bar Harbor

Good pick for longer stays thanks to kitchenettes and a pet relief area.

Patio dining with dogs

Fogtown Brewing

Dog-friendly beer garden with wood-fired pizza and plenty of outdoor space.

Flexit Cafe

Casual downtown cafe with outdoor tables where dogs can join you.

Blueberry Hill Dairy Bar

Seasonal ice cream stop with outdoor seating and pup cups.

Walks and outdoor time

Knowlton Park

Central city park where leashed dogs are welcome outside the splash pad area.

Branch Lake Public Forest

City-owned forest with several trails and lake access for a quieter outing.

Acadia National Park carriage roads

One of the region’s best dog-friendly day trips, with leashed pets allowed on carriage roads and many trails.

Dog-Friendly Hotels in Ellsworth

Hampton Inn Ellsworth/Bar Harbor

4.4/5
Hotel

Modern Hilton property just outside downtown and a convenient launch point for Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.

$$ Pet fee: $75 for 1-4 nights; $125 for longer stays Allows 2 pets up to 75 lbs. Dogs and cats welcome.

6 Downeast Hwy, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Comfort Inn Ellsworth - Bar Harbor

4.3/5
Hotel

Well-located budget-friendly option near shopping and restaurants, with pet amenities that make road trips easier.

$$ Pet fee: $25 per pet, per night Allows 2 dogs of any size in designated rooms. Dogs may not be left unattended. No cats.

130 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Ellsworth / Bar Harbor

4.1/5
Extended-stay hotel

Extended-stay style lodging with kitchenettes, useful for travelers planning several days of hiking and exploring Downeast Maine.

$$ Pet fee: $30 per night for first pet; $10 per night for second pet Allows 2 dogs of any size. Pets may not be left unattended. No cats.

215 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Colonial Inn Ellsworth

3.8/5
Hotel

Simple, locally established stay on High Street with easy in-and-out access for travelers heading toward Acadia or inland lakes.

$ Pet fee: $10 per pet, per night Welcomes 2 dogs of any size in designated rooms.

321 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Isleview Motel and Cottages

4/5
Motel and cottages

Low-key roadside option with cottage-style lodging that can work well for travelers who want a little more space.

$ Pet fee: $25 per stay Allows well-behaved dogs of any size in designated rooms; pets not allowed in standard rooms.

1169 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605

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Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Ellsworth

Fogtown Brewing

4.7/5
Brewery

Community-focused brewery with wood-fired pizza and a spacious dog-friendly beer garden that’s one of the best pet-friendly hangouts in town.

$$ Dogs are welcome in the outdoor beer garden.

25 Pine St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Flexit Cafe

4.6/5
Cafe

Bright downtown breakfast-and-lunch cafe with healthy options, coffee, and outdoor tables that work well for a casual stop with your dog.

$$ Dogs are welcome at outside tables.

142 Main St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Blueberry Hill Dairy Bar

4.6/5
Ice cream shop

Seasonal roadside favorite for ice cream, soft serve, and a quick treat after a walk or drive around town.

$ Dogs are welcome at outdoor tables; pup cups available. Dog Menu

355 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

4/5
Mexican restaurant

Covered deck seating and a laid-back atmosphere made this a longtime patio option for travelers with dogs.

$$ Dogs were welcome on the covered outdoor deck.

191 Main St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Casa Jalisco

4.2/5
Mexican restaurant

Casual Mexican spot in Ellsworth with outdoor seating suitable for a relaxed meal with a leashed dog.

$$ Leashed dogs are welcome at outdoor tables.

205 High St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Dog-Friendly Parks and Activities Near Ellsworth

Knowlton Park

City park

Convenient in-town green space for a short walk, with playgrounds and open areas. Good for a quick leg stretch between meals or drives.

Dogs must be on a continuously held leash no longer than 8 feet and are not allowed in the splash pad area.

State St, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Branch Lake Public Forest

Forest trails

Quiet city-owned conservation area with several trails and access to Branch Lake, ideal for a lower-key nature outing.

Leashed dogs are appropriate; pack out waste and protect the public water supply.

Branch Lake area, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Ellsworth Rail Trail

Multi-use path

Paved city trail useful for an easy on-leash walk or jog close to town amenities.

Leashed dogs are suitable on the multi-use path.

Birch Ave to Lakes Ln corridor, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Harbor Park

Waterfront park

Small riverside park with picnic areas and marina views, good for a mellow stroll with your dog.

Leashed dogs are appropriate in city park areas.

Harbor Park, Ellsworth, ME 04605

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Acadia National Park Carriage Roads

National park activity

A top regional day trip from Ellsworth, with miles of scenic crushed-stone carriage roads where leashed dogs are allowed.

Pets are allowed on 45 miles of carriage roads and many trails; leash must be no longer than 6 feet. Some ladder and rung trails are restricted.

Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, ME 04609

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A Dog-Friendly Weekend in Ellsworth

Use Ellsworth as a lower-key home base for Acadia access, downtown meals, and easy park time with your dog.

Day 1: Downtown Ellsworth arrival

Morning

Check into a pet-friendly hotel like Hampton Inn Ellsworth/Bar Harbor or Comfort Inn Ellsworth - Bar Harbor, then take your dog for an easy walk at Knowlton Park.

Afternoon

Explore downtown Ellsworth on foot and stop for lunch at Flexit Cafe if patio seating is available.

Evening

Head to Fogtown Brewing for pizza and a relaxed evening in the dog-friendly beer garden.

Day 2: Acadia day trip

Morning

Drive to Acadia National Park and spend the morning walking a pet-friendly carriage road route with your dog on a 6-foot leash.

Afternoon

Return toward Ellsworth for a quieter outing at Branch Lake Public Forest or a waterfront break at Harbor Park.

Evening

Cool down with a stop at Blueberry Hill Dairy Bar for dessert and a pup cup before settling in for the night.

Day 3: Easy departure day

Morning

Take one last stroll on the Ellsworth Rail Trail or around downtown before checkout.

Afternoon

Grab a casual outdoor lunch in town if weather cooperates, then stock up on road-trip snacks and head out.

Evening

If you are continuing along the coast, use Ellsworth as your jumping-off point for Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, or Bangor.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Destinations

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ellsworth, Maine good for traveling with a dog?

Yes. Ellsworth works especially well as a dog-friendly base for Acadia trips because it has several pet-friendly hotels, a handful of dog-welcoming patios, and easy access to parks and walking trails.

Are dogs allowed at restaurants in Ellsworth?

Dogs are generally limited to outdoor seating areas. Maine law allows municipalities to permit dogs in designated outdoor dining areas, so patio access depends on the specific restaurant and setup.

Can I bring my dog to Acadia National Park from Ellsworth?

Yes. Acadia is one of the more dog-friendly national parks. Pets are allowed on many trails and on the carriage roads, but they must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet and some ladder-style trails are off limits.

Does Ellsworth have an off-leash dog park?

Ellsworth has parks and walking areas for leashed dogs, but it does not have a dedicated off-leash dog park listed in current city materials.

What pet fees should I expect at Ellsworth hotels?

Pet fees vary widely. In Ellsworth, current examples range from about $10 per pet per night at some budget properties to $75 or more per stay at chain hotels.

Planning more Maine adventures with your dog?

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